Rural School Leaflet. 1069 



PLANTS TO BE RECOGNIZED 



In addition to the special plant work on the corn, for 1 9 lo-i i, teachers 

 are expected to have the pupils become familiar with six of the following 

 plants: Violet, pansy, aster, milkweed, skunk cabbage, claytonia, poppy, 

 pear, lady's slipper, sweet clover, cabbage, carrot. It would be well to 

 place this list on the blackboard at the beginning of the year. Ask 

 the children to brin^ a specimen of each to the school as soon as they 

 find one. Place on the blackboard beside the name of the plant, the 

 name of the boy or girl who first finds a specimen. The informal lessons 

 on these plants may be more valuable than many more complete nature- 

 study lessons given on a single plant. 



The teacher who wishes to do serious work in nature-study should 

 keep a blank book during the coming year in which she can record all 

 the facts which she and the children can find together on the subject 

 for this year's work. Before placing on the board the list of plants to 

 be recognized, it might be well for the teacher to have some facts regard- 

 ing these plants; whether they are wild or cultiv^ated, where they grow, 

 the group of plants to which each one belongs, and the like. 



In the study of these plants may come the lesson on protecting the 

 wild flowers in the neighborhood. The little claytonia or spring beauty 

 is a joy to all young children where it grows. Have the children realize 

 what it will mean if they are careless in gathering too many or 

 in up-rooting these plants. In some localities the lady's slipper is rare. 

 Children should realize this and should be taught to feel that one blossom 

 only should be brought to the school room for study. Let the children 

 choose one pupil to gather it as soon as it appears. 



The seeds of the carrot and cabbage might be sown in the school- 

 room in flower pots. The young plants would have an interest for many 

 of the children. The carrot is a very attractive plant. 



The children are expected this year to recognize one of the clovers, one 

 of the grains, and one of the grasses. Encourage them to find as many 

 clovers as possible and to find the name of one. In the study of the grains 

 it would be well to have some lessons in drawing and in color in con- 

 nection with them. Grains and grasses are very interesting from the 

 artistic standpoint and this should be taught with the practical 

 lessons. 



